President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has warned that developing countries risk losing control of their future if they remain consumers of technology instead of producing it, creating knowledge and owning intellectual property.
Tinubu spoke at the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, India, in an address delivered on his behalf by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The President called for stronger BRICS cooperation with developing economies in artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, fintech, telecommunications, cybersecurity, biotechnology and advanced manufacturing.
He said Nigeria was seeking to use its youthful population and growing innovation ecosystem to become a producer of emerging technologies. He cited government programmes including 3MTT, Project BRIDGE and national artificial intelligence initiatives as part of efforts to expand digital skills, entrepreneurship and research.
Tinubu described cooperation with BRICS as an opportunity to attract investment, secure technology transfer and develop human capital. He also invited investors to use Nigeria as a gateway to Africa’s growing market under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Beyond technology, the President called for reforms to global governance institutions, including the United Nations Security Council and international financial institutions, arguing that they should better reflect current economic and demographic realities.
He also urged greater BRICS cooperation in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, healthcare, education, manufacturing and critical minerals, with emphasis on local value addition, industrial capacity and job creation.
On climate change, Tinubu called for affordable climate finance, technology transfer and capacity building for Africa. He said cooperation in renewable energy, gas, clean technologies, climate smart agriculture and sustainable infrastructure should support development rather than restrict it.
Tinubu said Nigeria wanted BRICS cooperation to produce measurable results through increased trade, investment, technology transfer and job creation, with Africa playing a greater role in global growth and innovation.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said BRICS had gained greater confidence among Global South countries because their voices were increasingly being heard and their experiences respected.
Modi highlighted initiatives including BRICS CONNECT, the BRICS MSME Cooperation Portal and the BRICS Urban Mobility Hub, which he said were designed to promote skills, employment, enterprise development and knowledge sharing.
He also stressed that economic development must be balanced with environmental responsibility and that sustainability should remain central to BRICS cooperation.
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